Nick Said, Special to ESPN 7y

Former Bok Spies calls time on rugby career

Super Rugby, Rugby

Former South Africa international loose-forward Pierre Spies has announced his retirement from rugby, bringing to an end an injury-plagued career that never quite lived up to its potential.

Spies did win 53 caps for the Springboks between 2006 and 2013, but missed out on the 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning squad when he was found to have blood clots on his lungs.

It was one of a number of injury set-backs that would hinder his career, which did include three Super Rugby titles with the Bulls, as well as a test series win over the British & Irish Lions in 2009.

It was during that series that he was famously selected on the wing, though he played most of his career at number eight, with four appearances also as a flank.

He last played under South African coach Jake White at French Top 14 side Montpellier in the 2016/17 season, but was released by the club at the end of the campaign.

"As a professional rugby player, I have thought a lot about this day. It is a moment every player is destined for, and yet you cannot control how and when you accommodate it in your life," Spies said in a statement released on his personal website.

"Much speculation has been going around the past two months about my rugby career and the way forward. This statement confirms my retirement from all forms of rugby. It has been a wonderful journey and one I will remember for the rest of my days, but it is the end of a chapter in my life."

Spies went on to thank a number of individuals, both in and out of the rugby environment, who had helped him in his career, including the coaches he played under with the Boks.

"Jake White under whom I became a Bok, who brought back many traditions in the Bok environment. Peter de Villiers, who did an amazing job in creating a team culture and Heyneke Meyer, under who I played my last test," he said.

"All the amazing players I've shared locker rooms, hotel rooms, airplanes and dinner tables with - massive moments of joy, pure bliss and agony and disappointment - thank you for making my life richer and improving my life as a person and a player. I'm forever thankful!"

Spies gave no hint as to his future, but says he could have continued to play rugby had he chosen to.

"I could've continued playing rugby but I've decided to stop my career because I believe it's the right time to start the next chapter of my life. There are many things that motivate me to make a decision like this - family, faith, future, and my purpose," he said.

"I believe I can make an impact in this world and have a passion for sharing my faith, encouraging youth and caring for the poor and broken in society. I'm looking forward to the next chapter of my life filled with excitement and wonder - and I believe the best is yet to come!"

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